* Notional shown in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
|
Investment Valuation Hierarchy Level Summary
|
October 31, 2012
|
(000’s Omitted)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Level 1 ♦
|
|
|
Level 2 ♦
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stocks ‡
|
|
$
|
6,545
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
6,545
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Exchange Traded Funds
|
|
|
6,556
|
|
|
|
6,556
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Foreign Government Obligations
|
|
|
17,994
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
17,994
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Put Options Purchased
|
|
|
631
|
|
|
|
631
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
|
45,434
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
45,434
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Short-Term Investments
|
|
|
168,830
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
168,830
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
245,990
|
|
|
$
|
7,187
|
|
|
$
|
238,803
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Credit Default Swaps *
|
|
|
2,008
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2,008
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Foreign Currency Contracts *
|
|
|
681
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
681
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Futures *
|
|
|
437
|
|
|
|
437
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total Return Swaps *
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,163
|
|
|
$
|
437
|
|
|
$
|
2,726
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Sold Short
|
|
$
|
23,908
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
23,908
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
23,908
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
23,908
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Foreign Currency Contracts *
|
|
|
1,001
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1,001
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Futures *
|
|
|
396
|
|
|
|
396
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,397
|
|
|
$
|
396
|
|
|
$
|
1,001
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
♦
|
For the year ended October 31, 2012, investments valued at $13 were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2, and there were no transfers from Level 2 to Level 1. Investments are transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to:
|
|
1)
|
Foreign equities for which a fair value price is more representative of exit value than the local market close (transfer into Level 2). Foreign equities for which the local market close is more representative of exit value (transfer into Level 1).
|
|
2)
|
U.S. Treasury securities that no longer represent the most recent issue (transfer into Level 2).
|
|
3)
|
Equity investments with no observable trading but a bid or close price is used (transfer into Level 2). Equity investments using observable quoted prices in an active market (transfer into Level 1).
|
‡
|
The Fund has all or primarily all of the equity securities categorized in a particular level. Refer to the Schedule of Investments for further industry breakout.
|
*
|
Derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Investments are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the investments.
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
|
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
|
October 31, 2012
|
(000’s Omitted)
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in securities, at market value (cost $75,610)
|
|
$
|
77,160
|
|
Investments in repurchase agreements, at market value (cost $168,830)
|
|
|
168,830
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
18,733
|
*,†
|
Unrealized appreciation on foreign currency contracts
|
|
|
681
|
|
Unrealized appreciation on swap contracts
|
|
|
2,045
|
|
Receivables:
|
|
|
|
|
Investment securities sold
|
|
|
23,944
|
|
Fund shares sold
|
|
|
14
|
|
Dividends and interest
|
|
|
354
|
|
Variation margin
|
|
|
132
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
3
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
291,896
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized depreciation on foreign currency contracts
|
|
|
1,001
|
|
Securities sold short, at market value (proceeds $23,944)
|
|
|
23,908
|
|
Payables:
|
|
|
|
|
Investment securities purchased
|
|
|
1,087
|
|
Fund shares redeemed
|
|
|
375
|
|
Investment management fees
|
|
|
35
|
|
Variation margin
|
|
|
114
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
22
|
|
Swap premiums received
|
|
|
1,996
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
28,538
|
|
Net assets
|
|
$
|
263,358
|
|
Summary of Net Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
Capital stock and paid-in-capital
|
|
$
|
245,844
|
|
Undistributed net investment income
|
|
|
3,864
|
|
Accumulated net realized gain
|
|
|
10,298
|
|
Unrealized appreciation of investments and the translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency
|
|
|
3,352
|
|
Net assets
|
|
$
|
263,358
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class Y: Net asset value per share
|
|
$
|
10.75
|
|
Shares outstanding
|
|
|
24,492
|
|
Net assets
|
|
$
|
263,358
|
|
*
Cash of $3,107 was
pledged as initial margin deposit and collateral for daily variation margin loss on open futures contracts at October 31, 2012.
†
Cash of $1,047
was pledged as collateral for open swap contracts at October 31, 2012.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
|
Statement of Operations
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2012
|
(000’s Omitted)
|
Investment Income:
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
|
|
$
|
4,255
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
1,553
|
|
Less: Foreign tax withheld
|
|
|
(285
|
)
|
Total investment income
|
|
|
5,523
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
Investment management fees
|
|
|
1,596
|
|
Transfer agent fees
|
|
|
6
|
|
Custodian fees
|
|
|
21
|
|
Accounting services fees
|
|
|
53
|
|
Board of Trustees' fees
|
|
|
8
|
|
Audit fees
|
|
|
21
|
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
58
|
|
Total expenses (before waivers)
|
|
|
1,763
|
|
Expense waivers
|
|
|
(35
|
)
|
Total waivers
|
|
|
(35
|
)
|
Total expenses, net
|
|
|
1,728
|
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
|
3,795
|
|
Net Realized Gain on Investments, Other Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency Transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain on investments in securities
|
|
|
12,068
|
|
Net realized loss on purchased options
|
|
|
(430
|
)
|
Net realized loss on securities sold short
|
|
|
(560
|
)
|
Net realized gain on futures
|
|
|
942
|
|
Net realized gain on swap contracts
|
|
|
492
|
|
Net realized gain on foreign currency contracts
|
|
|
933
|
|
Net realized loss on other foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
(536
|
)
|
Net Realized Gain on Investments, Other Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency Transactions
|
|
|
12,909
|
|
Net Changes in Unrealized Depreciation of Investments, Other Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency Transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized depreciation of investments
|
|
|
(20,134
|
)
|
Net unrealized appreciation of purchased options
|
|
|
58
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation of securities sold short
|
|
|
36
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation of futures
|
|
|
41
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation of swap contracts
|
|
|
2,158
|
|
Net unrealized depreciation of foreign currency contracts
|
|
|
(329
|
)
|
Net unrealized appreciation on translation of other assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
|
|
|
9
|
|
Net Changes in Unrealized Depreciation of Investments, Other Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency Transactions
|
|
|
(18,161
|
)
|
Net Loss on Investments, Other Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency Transactions
|
|
|
(5,252
|
)
|
Net Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
|
|
$
|
(1,457
|
)
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
|
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
|
|
(000’s Omitted)
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2012
|
|
|
For the Period
September 30,
2011*
through
October 31, 2011
|
|
Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
3,795
|
|
|
$
|
403
|
|
Net realized gain on investments, other financial instruments and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
12,909
|
|
|
|
880
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, other financial instruments and foreign currency transactions
|
|
|
(18,161
|
)
|
|
|
21,513
|
|
Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting From Operations
|
|
|
(1,457
|
)
|
|
|
22,796
|
|
Distributions to Shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class Y
|
|
|
(3,200
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total from net investment income
|
|
|
(3,200
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
From net realized gain on investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class Y
|
|
|
(625
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total from net realized gain on investments
|
|
|
(625
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(3,825
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Capital Share Transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class Y
|
|
|
8,060
|
|
|
|
237,784
|
|
Net increase from capital share transactions
|
|
|
8,060
|
|
|
|
237,784
|
|
Net Increase In Net Assets
|
|
|
2,778
|
|
|
|
260,580
|
|
Net Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
260,580
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
End of period
|
|
$
|
263,358
|
|
|
$
|
260,580
|
|
Undistributed (distribution in excess of) net investment income (loss)
|
|
$
|
3,864
|
|
|
$
|
679
|
|
*
Commencement of
operations.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
|
Notes to Financial Statements
|
October 31, 2012
|
(000’s Omitted)
|
The Hartford Alternative Strategies
Fund (“Fund”) is a Delaware statutory trust and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). However, beneficial interests in the Fund are not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), because such interests are issued solely in
private placement transactions that do not involve any “public offering” within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the
1933 Act. Investments in the Fund may only be made by “accredited investors” within the meaning of Regulation D under
the 1933 Act. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares. The Fund is a diversified open-end management investment
company.
Class Y shares of the Fund,
which are offered only for investment by other Hartford Mutual Funds and/or by 529 Plan investment funds, are sold without a sales
charge.
|
2.
|
Significant Accounting Policies:
|
The following is a summary
of significant accounting policies of the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements, which are in accordance with the
United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance
with U.S. GAAP may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases
and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
|
a)
|
Determination of Net Asset
Value
– The per share net asset value ("NAV")
of the Fund’s shares is determined as of the close of regular
trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) (the “NYSE Close”)
on each day that the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”)
is open (“Valuation Date”). Information that becomes
known to the Fund after the NAV has been calculated on a particular
day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the NAV
determined earlier that day.
|
|
b)
|
Investment Valuation and Fair
Value Measurements
– For purposes of calculating the
NAV, portfolio investments and other assets held by the Fund's
portfolio for which market quotes are readily available are valued
at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis
of last reported sales prices or official close price. If no sales
are reported, market value is based on quotes obtained from a
quotation reporting system, established market makers, or independent
pricing services. If market prices are not readily available or
are deemed unreliable, the Fund will use the fair value of the
investment as determined in good faith under policies and procedures
established by and under the supervision of the Fund’s Board
of Trustees. Market quotes are considered not readily available
where there is an absence of current or reliable market-based
data (e.g., trade information or indicative market quotes), including
where events occur after the close of the relevant market, but
prior to the NYSE Close that materially affect the values of the
Fund’s portfolio investments or assets. In addition, market
quotes are considered not readily available when, due to extraordinary
circumstances, the exchanges or markets on which the investments
trade do not open for trading for the entire day and no other
market prices are available. In addition, prices of foreign equities
that are principally traded on certain foreign markets are adjusted
daily pursuant to a fair value pricing service approved by the
Board of Trustees in order to reflect an adjustment for the factors
occurring after the close of certain foreign markets but before
the NYSE Close. Investments that are primarily traded on foreign
markets may trade on days that are not business days of the Fund.
The value of the foreign investments in which the Fund invests
may change on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase
or redeem shares of the Fund. Fair value pricing is subjective
in nature and the use of fair value pricing by the Fund may cause
the NAV of its shares to differ significantly from the NAV that
would have been calculated using market prices at the close of
the exchange on which a portfolio investment is primarily traded.
There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair
market value assigned to an investment if the Fund were to sell
the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines
its NAV.
|
Fixed
income investments (other than short term obligations) and non-exchange traded derivatives held by the Fund are normally valued
on the basis of quotes obtained from brokers and dealers or independent pricing services in accordance with procedures established
by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Prices obtained from independent pricing services use information provided by market makers
or estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to investments with similar characteristics. Generally, the Fund
may use fair valuation in regard to fixed income investments when the Fund holds defaulted or distressed investments or investments
in a company in which a reorganization is pending. Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are generally valued at
amortized cost, if their original term to maturity was 60 days or less, or by amortizing their value on the 61st day prior to
maturity, if the original term to maturity exceeded 60 days
.
Exchange traded options, futures
and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange as of the NYSE Close. If such instruments
do not trade on an exchange, values may be supplied by an independent pricing service using a formula or other objective method
that may take into consideration the style, direction, expiration, strike price, notional value and volatility or other adjustments.
Investments valued in currencies
other than U.S. dollars are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from independent pricing services for calculation
of the NAV. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation
to the U.S. dollar. The value of investments traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than
the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the NYSE is closed and the market value may change on days when an
investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares of the Fund.
Foreign currency contracts represent
agreements to exchange currencies on specific future dates at predetermined rates. Foreign currency contracts are valued using
foreign currency exchange rates and forward rates as provided by an independent pricing service on the Valuation Date.
Investments in open-end mutual
funds are valued at the respective NAV of each open-end mutual fund on the Valuation Date.
Financial instruments for which
prices are not available from an independent pricing service may be valued using market quotations obtained from one or more dealers
that make markets in the respective financial instrument in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board of
Trustees.
U.S. GAAP defines fair value
as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants. The U.S. GAAP fair value measurement standards require disclosure of a fair value hierarchy for each major category
of assets and liabilities. Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs
are summarized into three broad hierarchy levels. This hierarchy is based on whether the valuation inputs are observable or unobservable.
These levels are:
|
·
|
Level
1 – Quoted
prices in active
markets for identical
investments. Level
1 may include exchange
traded instruments,
such as domestic
equities, some
foreign equities,
options, futures,
mutual funds, exchange
traded funds, rights
and warrants.
|
|
·
|
Level
2 – Observable
inputs other than
Level 1 prices,
such as quoted
prices for similar
investments; quoted
prices in markets
that are not active;
or other inputs
that are observable
or can be corroborated
by observable market
data. Level 2 may
include debt investments
that are traded
less frequently
than exchange traded
instruments and
which are valued
using independent
pricing services;
foreign equities,
which are principally
traded on certain
foreign markets
and are adjusted
daily pursuant
to a fair value
pricing service
in order to reflect
an adjustment for
the factors occurring
after the close
of certain foreign
markets but before
the NYSE Close;
and short-term
investments, which
are valued at amortized
cost.
|
The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
|
Notes to Financial Statements – (continued)
|
October 31, 2012
|
(000’s Omitted)
|
|
·
|
Level
3 – Significant
unobservable inputs
that are supported
by limited or no
market activity.
Level 3 may include
financial instruments
whose values are
determined using
indicative market
quotes or require
significant management
judgment or estimation.
These unobservable
valuation inputs
may include estimates
for current yields,
maturity/duration,
prepayment speed,
and indicative
market quotes for
comparable investments
along with other
assumptions relating
to credit quality,
collateral value,
complexity of the
investment structure,
general market
conditions and
liquidity. This
category may include
investments where
trading has been
halted or there
are certain restrictions
on trading. While
these investments
are priced using
unobservable inputs,
the valuation of
these investments
reflects the best
available data
and management
believes the prices
are a reasonable
representation
of exit price.
|
The Board of Trustees of the Fund
generally reviews and approves the “Procedures for Valuation of Portfolio Securities” on an annual basis. These procedures
define how investments are to be valued, including the formation and activities of a Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee
is responsible for determining in good faith the fair value of investments when the value cannot be obtained from primary pricing
services or alternative sources or if the valuation of an investment as provided by the primary pricing service or alternative
source is believed not to reflect the investment’s fair value as of the Valuation Date. Members of the Valuation Committee
include the Fund’s Treasurer or designee, a Vice President of the Fund with legal expertise or designee, and a Vice President
of the investment manager or designee. In addition, the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer shall designate a member of the
compliance group to attend Valuation Committee meetings as a non-voting resource, to monitor for and provide guidance with respect
to compliance with these procedures. Two members of the Valuation Committee or their designees, representing different departments,
shall constitute a quorum for purposes of permitting the Valuation Committee to take action. The Valuation Committee will consider
all relevant factors in determining an investment’s fair value, and may seek the advice of the Fund’s sub-adviser,
knowledgeable brokers, and legal counsel in making such determination. The Valuation Committee reports to the Audit Committee
of the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Audit Committee receives quarterly written reports which include details of all fair-valued
investments, including the reason for the fair valuation, and an indication, when possible, of the accuracy of the valuation by
disclosing the next available reliable public price quotation or the disposition price of such investments (the “look-back”
test). The Board of Trustees then must consider for ratification all of the fair value determinations made during the previous
quarter.
Valuation levels are not necessarily
indicative of the risk associated with investing in such investments. Individual investments within any of the above mentioned
asset classes may be assigned a different hierarchical level than those presented above, as individual circumstances dictate.
For additional information,
refer to the Investment Valuation Hierarchy Level Summary and the Level 3 roll-forward reconciliation, if applicable, which follow
the Schedule of Investments.
For purposes of reporting transfers
between different hierarchy levels, both transfers in and out of each level, as applicable, are shown as if they occurred at the
beginning of the period.
|
c)
|
Investment Transactions and
Investment Income
–
Investment transactions are
recorded as of the trade date (the date the order to buy or sell
is executed) for financial reporting purposes. Investments purchased
or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled
a month or more after the trade date. Realized gains and losses
are determined on the basis of identified cost.
|
Dividend income from domestic
securities is accrued as of the ex-dividend date. In general, dividend income from foreign securities is recorded on the ex-date;
however, dividend notifications in certain foreign jurisdictions may not be available in a timely manner and as a result, the
Fund will record the dividend as soon as the relevant details (i.e., rate per share, payment date, shareholders of record, etc.)
are publicly available. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discounts, is accrued on a daily basis.
|
d)
|
Foreign Currency Transactions
– Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other
than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange
rates in effect on the valuation date. Purchases and sales of
investments, income, and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars
at the exchange rates on the dates of such transactions.
|
The Fund does not isolate that
portion of portfolio investment valuation resulting from fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates from the fluctuations
arising from changes in the market prices of investments held. Exchange rate fluctuations are included with the net realized and
unrealized gain or loss on investments in the accompanying financial statements.
Net realized foreign exchange
gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies and the difference between asset and liability amounts initially stated
in foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar value of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains
or losses arise from changes in the value of other assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period, resulting from changes
in the exchange rates.
|
e)
|
Fund Share Valuation and Dividend
Distributions to Shareholders
– Orders for the Fund’s
shares are executed in accordance with the investment instructions
of the shareholders. The NAV of the Fund’s shares is determined
as of the close of business on each business day of the Exchange.
The NAV is determined by dividing the Fund’s net assets
by the number of shares outstanding.
|
Orders for the purchase of the
Fund’s shares received prior to the close of the Exchange on any day the Exchange is open for business are priced at the
NAV determined as of the close of the Exchange. Orders received after the close of the Exchange, or on a day on which the Exchange
and/or the Fund is not open for business, are priced at the next determined NAV.
Dividends are declared pursuant
to a policy adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees based upon the investment performance of the Fund. The policy of the
Fund is to pay dividends from net investment income and realized capital gains, if any, at least once a year.
Distributions from net investment
income, net realized capital gains and capital are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ
from U.S. GAAP with respect to character and timing. These differences may include but are not limited to losses deferred due
to wash sale adjustments, foreign currency gains and losses, adjustments related to Passive Foreign Investment Companies (“PFICs”),
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”), Regulated Investment Companies (“RICs”), certain derivatives
and partnerships. Permanent book and federal income tax basis differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in
reclassifications to certain of the Fund’s capital accounts (see Federal Income Taxes: Reclassification of Capital Accounts
note).
|
3.
|
Securities and Other Investments:
|
|
a)
|
Repurchase Agreements
–
A repurchase agreement is an agreement by which a counterparty
agrees to sell an investment and agrees to repurchase the investment
sold from the buyer at a mutually agreed upon time and price.
At the time the Fund enters into a repurchase agreement, the value
of the underlying collateral, including accrued interest, will
be equal to or exceed the value of the repurchase agreement. Repurchase
agreements expose the Fund to counterparty risk - that is, the
risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligations. To
minimize counterparty risk, the investments that serve to collateralize
the repurchase agreement are held by the Fund’s custodian
in book entry or physical form in the custodial account of the
Fund or in a third party custodial account. Repurchase agreements
are valued at cost plus accrued interest. The Fund, as shown on
the Schedule of Investments, had outstanding repurchase agreements
as of October 31, 2012.
|
|
b)
|
Illiquid and Restricted Investments
– The Fund is permitted to invest up to 15% of its net
assets in illiquid investments. Illiquid investments are those
that may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of
business within seven days, at approximately the price used to
determine the Fund’s NAV. The Fund may not be able to sell
illiquid investments when
|
The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
|
Notes to Financial Statements – (continued)
|
October 31, 2012
|
(000’s Omitted)
|
its sub-adviser considers it
desirable to do so or may have to sell such investments at a price that is lower than the price that could be obtained if the
investments were more liquid. A sale of illiquid investments may require more time and may result in higher dealer discounts and
other selling expenses than does the sale of those that are liquid. Illiquid investments also may be more difficult to value due
to the unavailability of reliable market quotations for such investments, and an investment in them may have an adverse impact
on the Fund’s NAV. The Fund may also purchase certain restricted investments that can only be resold to certain qualified
investors and may be determined to be liquid pursuant to policies and guidelines established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Fund had no illiquid or restricted investments as of October 31, 2012.
|
c)
|
Investments Purchased on a
When-Issued or Delayed-Delivery Basis
– Delivery and
payment for investments that have been purchased by the Fund on
a forward commitment, or when-issued or delayed-delivery basis,
take place beyond the customary settlement period. A fund may
dispose of or renegotiate a delayed-delivery transaction after
it is entered into, and may sell delayed-delivery investments
before they are delivered, which may result in a realized gain
or loss. During this period, such investments are subject to market
fluctuations, and the Fund identifies investments segregated in
its records with a value at least equal to the amount of the commitment.
As of October 31, 2012, the Fund had no outstanding when-issued
or delayed-delivery investments.
|
In connection with the Fund’s
ability to purchase investments on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, the Fund may enter into to-be announced (“TBA”)
commitments. TBA commitments are forward agreements for the purchase or sale of mortgage-backed securities for a fixed price,
with payment and delivery on an agreed-upon future settlement date. The specific securities to be delivered are not identified
at the trade date; however, delivered securities must meet specified terms, including issuer, rate and mortgage terms. Although
the Fund may enter into TBA commitments with the intention of acquiring or delivering securities for its portfolio, the Fund can
extend the settlement date, roll the transaction, or dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if deemed appropriate to do so.
If the TBA commitment is closed through the acquisition of an offsetting TBA commitment, the Fund realizes a gain or loss. In
a TBA roll transaction, the Fund generally purchases or sells the initial TBA commitment prior to the agreed upon settlement date
and enters into a new TBA commitment for future delivery or receipt of the mortgage-backed securities. TBA commitments involve
a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased or sold declines or increases, respectively, prior to settlement date.
The Fund may enter into “dollar
rolls” in which the Fund sells securities and contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase substantially similar securities
(for example, same issuer, coupon and maturity) on a specified future date at an agreed upon price. The Fund gives up the right
to receive interest paid on the investments sold. The Fund would benefit to the extent of any differences between the price received
for the security and the lower forward price for the future purchase. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the
securities that the Fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. The Fund
records dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales and realizes gains and losses on these transactions. These transactions
are excluded from the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. The Fund had open dollar roll transactions as of October 31, 2012,
as disclosed on the Schedule of Investments, the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the Statement of Operations.
|
d)
|
Inflation Indexed Bonds
– The Fund may invest in inflation indexed bonds. Inflation
indexed bonds are fixed income investments whose principal value
is periodically adjusted to the rate of inflation. The interest
rate on these bonds is generally fixed at issuance at a rate lower
than typical bonds. Over the life of an inflation indexed bond,
however, interest will be paid based on a principal value, which
is adjusted for inflation. Any increase or decrease in the principal
amount of an inflation indexed bond will be included as interest
income on the Statement of Operations, even though investors do
not receive the principal amount until maturity.
|
|
4.
|
Financial Derivative Instruments:
|
The following disclosures contain
information on how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, the credit-risk-related contingent features in certain derivative
instruments, and how derivative instruments affect the Fund’s financial
position and results of operations.
The location and fair value amounts of these instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the realized gains and
losses and changes in unrealized gains and losses on the Statement of Operations, each categorized by type of derivative contract,
are included in the following Additional Derivative Instrument Information footnote. The derivative instruments outstanding as
of period-end are disclosed in the notes to the Schedule of Investments or within the Schedule of Investments for purchased options,
if applicable. The amounts of realized gains and losses and changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments during
the period are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.
|
a)
|
Foreign Currency Contracts
– The Fund may enter into foreign currency contracts
that obligate the Fund to purchase or sell currencies at specified
future dates. Foreign currency contracts are used to hedge the
currency exposure associated with some or all of the Fund’s
investments and/or as part of an investment strategy. Foreign
currency contracts are marked to market daily and the change in
value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. The
Fund will record a realized gain or loss when the foreign currency
contract is settled.
|
Foreign currency contracts involve
elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In addition, risks may
arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of the contracts
and from unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. The Fund had outstanding
foreign currency contracts as shown on the Schedule of Investments as of October 31, 2012.
|
b)
|
Futures Contracts
–
The Fund may enter into futures contracts. A futures contract
is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at
a set price on a future date. The Fund uses futures contracts
to manage or obtain exposure to the investment markets, commodities,
or movements in interest rates and currency values. The primary
risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect
correlation between the change in market value of the investments
held by the Fund and the prices of futures contracts and the possibility
of an illiquid market. Upon entering into a futures contract,
the Fund is required to deposit with a futures commission merchant
(“FCM”) an amount of cash or U.S. Government or Agency
Obligations in accordance with the initial margin requirements
of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market
daily at the most recent settlement price reported by an exchange
on which, over time, they are traded most extensively, and an
appropriate payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation
margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized
but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are
closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of
loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed on the Statement
of Assets and Liabilities; however, the Fund seeks to reduce this
risk through the use of an FCM. The Fund, as shown on the Schedule
of Investments, had outstanding futures contracts as of October
31, 2012.
|
|
c)
|
Options Contracts
–
An option contract is a contract sold by one party to another
party that offers the buyer the right, but not the obligation,
to buy (call) or sell (put) an investment or other financial asset
at an agreed-upon price during a specific period of time or on
a specific date. The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put
options on
futures, swaps (“swaptions”), securities,
commodities or currencies. “Covered” means that so
long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of an option, it will
own either the underlying investments or currency or an option
to purchase the same underlying investments or currency having
an expiration date of the covered option and an exercise price
equal to or less than the exercise price of the covered option,
or will pledge cash or other liquid investments having a value
equal to or greater than the fluctuating market value of the option
investment or currency. Writing put options increases the
Fund’s
exposure to the underlying instrument. Writing call options
decreases the Fund’s exposure to the underlying instrument.
Premiums received from writing
options that expire are
treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing
options
that are exercised or closed are added to the proceeds or offset
amounts paid on the underlying futures, swap, investment or currency
transaction to
determine the realized gain or loss. The
Fund as a writer of an option has no control
over whether
the underlying instrument may be sold (call) or purchased (put)
and
as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable
change in the price of the
instrument underlying the written
option. There is the risk the Fund may not be able
to enter
into a closing transaction because of an illiquid market.
The
Fund may also purchase put and call options. Purchasing call options
increases the Fund’s exposure to the underlying instrument.
Purchasing put
options decreases the Fund’s exposure
to the underlying instrument. The Fund
pays a premium,
which is included on the Fund’s
|
The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
Notes to Financial Statements –
(continued)
October 31, 2012
(000’s Omitted)
|
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as an investment and is subsequently marked to market to reflect
the
current value of the option. Premiums paid for purchasing
options that expire are
treated as realized losses. Certain
options may be purchased with premiums to be
determined on
a future date. The premiums for these options are based upon
implied volatility parameters at specified terms. The risk associated
with
purchasing put and call options is generally limited
to the premium paid. Premiums paid for
purchasing options
that are exercised or closed are added to the amounts paid or
offset against the proceeds on the underlying investment transaction
to determine
the realized gain or loss. Entering into over-the-counter
options also exposes the Fund to counterparty risk. Counterparty
risk is the possibility that the counterparty to the agreements
may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning
of the contractual terms in the agreements. The Fund, as shown on
the Schedule of Investments, had outstanding purchased
options contracts as of October 31, 2012. There were no transactions
involving written options contracts during the year ended October
31, 2012.
|
|
d)
|
Swap Contracts
– The
Fund may invest in swap contracts. Swap contracts are privately
negotiated agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange
or swap investment cash flows, assets, foreign currencies or market-linked
returns at specified future intervals. The Fund may enter into credit
default, total return, cross-currency, interest rate, inflation
and other forms of swap contracts to manage its exposure to credit,
currency, interest rate, commodity and inflation risk. Swap contracts
are also used to gain exposure to certain markets. In connection
with these contracts, investments or cash may be identified as collateral
in accordance with the terms of the respective swap contracts to
provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default or
bankruptcy/insolvency. Swaps are valued based on custom valuations
furnished by an independent pricing service. Swaps for which prices
are not available from an independent pricing service are valued
in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board
of Trustees, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as an
unrealized gain or loss on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period
are reflected as such on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
and represent payments made or received upon entering into the swap
contract to compensate for differences between the stated terms
of the swap contract and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads,
currency exchange rates, interest rates, and other relevant factors).
These upfront payments are recorded as realized gains or losses
on the Statement of Operations upon termination or maturity of the
swap. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination
of the swap and some net periodic payments received or paid by the
Fund are recorded as realized gains or losses on the Statement of
Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund with
regard to interest rate swaps are recorded as increases or decreases
to income on the Statement of Operations. Entering into these contracts
involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit and market risk
in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will
be no liquid market for these contracts, that the counterparty to
the contracts may default on its obligation to perform or disagree
as to the meaning of contractual terms in the contracts, and that
there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates. The Fund’s
maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted
net value of the cash flows to be received from the counterparty
over the contract’s remaining life, to the extent that amount
is positive. The risk is mitigated by having a master netting arrangement
between the Fund and the counterparty, which allows for the netting
of payments made or received (although such amounts are presented
on a gross basis within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities,
as applicable) as well as the posting of collateral to the Fund
to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.
|
Credit
Default Swap Contracts
– The credit default swap market allows the Fund to manage its exposure to the market or certain
sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults of corporate and sovereign issuers, or to create exposure to corporate
or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed. Certain credit default swaps involve the exchange of a fixed rate premium
for protection against the loss in value of an underlying investment or index in the event of a credit event, such as payment
default or bankruptcy.
Under a credit default swap
contract, one party acts as guarantor by receiving the fixed periodic payment in exchange for the commitment to purchase the underlying
investment at par if the defined credit event occurs. Upon the occurrence of a defined credit event, the difference between the
value of the reference obligation and the swap’s notional amount is recorded as realized gain or loss on swap transactions
in the Statement of Operations. A “buyer” of credit protection agrees to pay a counterparty to assume the credit risk
of an issuer upon the occurrence of certain events. The “seller” of
the protection receives periodic
payments and agrees to assume the credit risk of an issuer upon the occurrence of certain events. Although specified events are
contract specific, credit events are generally defined as bankruptcy, failure to pay, restructuring, obligation acceleration,
obligation default, or repudiation/moratorium. A “seller’s” exposure is limited to the total notional amount
of the credit default swap contract. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective
referenced obligations or upfront payments received upon entering into the contract.
Implied credit spreads, represented
in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap contracts on corporate issues, sovereign government
issues or U.S. municipal issues as of period end are disclosed in the notes to the Schedule of Investments, as applicable, and
serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for
the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection
and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the contract. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration
of the referenced entity’s soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined
under the terms of the contract. For credit default swap contracts on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market
prices and resulting values serve as the indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk. Increasing market values,
in absolute terms when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced equity’s
credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the
contract. The Fund, as shown on the Schedule of Investments, had outstanding credit default swaps as of October 31, 2012.
Total Return Swap Contracts
–
The Fund may invest in total return swap contracts. An investment in a total return swap allows the Fund to
gain or mitigate exposure to underlying referenced securities. Total return swap contracts on commodities involve commitments
where cash flows are exchanged based on the price of a commodity and based on a fixed or variable rate. One party would receive
payments based on the price appreciation or depreciation of a commodity index, a portion of the index, or a single commodity in
exchange for paying to or receiving from the counterparty seller an agreed-upon rate. A variable rate may be correlated to a base
rate, such as the LIBOR, and is adjusted each period. Therefore, if interest rates increase over the term of the swap contract,
the party paying the rate may be required to pay a higher rate at each swap reset date.
Total return swap contracts
on indices involve commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market-linked return. One party pays out the total return of
a specific reference asset, which may be an equity, index, or bond, and in return receives a regular stream of payments. To the
extent the total return of the security or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest
rate obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty. The Fund, as shown on the Schedule
of Investments, had outstanding total return swaps as of October 31, 2012.
The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
Notes to Financial Statements –
(continued)
October 31, 2012
(000’s Omitted)
|
c)
|
Additional Derivative Instrument
Information:
|
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2012:
|
|
|
|
Risk Exposure Category
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate
Contracts
|
|
|
Foreign
Exchange
Contracts
|
|
|
Credit
Contracts
|
|
|
Equity
Contracts
|
|
|
Commodity
Contracts
|
|
|
Other
Contracts
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
in securities, at value (purchased options), market value
|
|
$
|
9
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
622
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
631
|
|
Unrealized
appreciation on foreign currency contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
681
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
681
|
|
Unrealized
appreciation on swap contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2,008
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2,045
|
|
Variation
margin receivable *
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
132
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
74
|
|
|
$
|
681
|
|
|
$
|
2,008
|
|
|
$
|
726
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
3,489
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
depreciation on foreign currency contracts
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,001
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,001
|
|
Variation
margin payable *
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
114
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
20
|
|
|
$
|
1,001
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
94
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,115
|
|
|
*
|
Only current day's variation margin is reported within the Statement
of Assets and Liabilities. The variation margin is included in the
open futures cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of $41 as reported
in the Schedule of Investments.
|
The ratio of foreign currency contracts to net assets
at October 31, 2012, was 41.56% compared to the twelve-month average ratio of 11.32% during the year ended October 31, 2012. The
ratio of futures contracts to net assets at October 31, 2012, was 27.45% compared to the twelve-month average ratio of 10.31%
during the year ended October 31, 2012. The volume of the other derivatives that are presented in the Schedule of Investments
is consistent with the derivative activity during the year ended October 31, 2012.
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2012:
|
|
|
|
Risk Exposure Category
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate
Contracts
|
|
|
Foreign
Exchange
Contracts
|
|
|
Credit
Contracts
|
|
|
Equity
Contracts
|
|
|
Commodity
Contracts
|
|
|
Other
Contracts
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Recognized as a Result of Operations:
|
Net
realized loss on investments in purchased options
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(430
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(430
|
)
|
Net realized
gain on futures
|
|
|
317
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
625
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
942
|
|
Net realized
gain (loss) on swap contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
1,070
|
|
|
|
(578
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
492
|
|
Net
realized gain on foreign currency contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
933
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
933
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
317
|
|
|
$
|
933
|
|
|
$
|
1,070
|
|
|
$
|
(383
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,937
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized as a Result of Operations:
|
Net
change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in purchased options
|
|
$
|
(193
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
251
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
58
|
|
Net change
in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures
|
|
|
220
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(179
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
Net change
in unrealized appreciation of swap contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
|
2,008
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2,158
|
|
Net
change in unrealized depreciation of foreign currency contracts
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(329
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(329
|
)
|
Total
|
|
$
|
27
|
|
|
$
|
(216
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,008
|
|
|
$
|
109
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,928
|
|
|
a)
|
Credit and Counterparty Risks
– Credit risk depends largely on the perceived financial
health of bond issuers. In general, the credit rating is inversely
related to the credit risk of the issuer. Higher rated bonds generally
are deemed to have less credit risk, while lower or unrated bonds
are deemed to have higher risk of default. The share price, yield
and total return of a fund that holds securities with higher credit
risk may be more volatile than those of a fund that holds bonds
with lower credit risk. Similar to credit risk, the Fund may be
exposed to counterparty risk, or the risk that an institution
or other entity with which the Fund has unsettled or open transactions
will default.
|
|
b)
|
Market Risks
– The
Fund’s investments expose the Fund to various risks including,
but not limited to, interest rate, prepayment, extension, foreign
currency, and equity risks. Interest rate risk is the risk that
fixed income securities will decline in value because of changes
in interest rates. As nominal interest rates rise, the values
of certain fixed income securities held by the Fund are likely
to decrease. A nominal interest rate can be described as the sum
of a real interest rate and an expected inflation rate. Fixed
income securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive
to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile
than securities with shorter durations. Duration is useful primarily
as a measure of the sensitivity of a fixed income security’s
market price to interest rate (i.e., yield) movements. In addition,
securities are subject to extension risk. Rising interest rates
may cause prepayments to occur at a slower than expected rate,
thereby effectively lengthening the maturity of the security and
making the security more sensitive to interest rate changes. Prepayment
and extension risk are major risks of mortgage-backed securities
and certain asset-backed securities. For certain asset-backed
securities, the actual maturity may be less than the stated maturity
shown in the Schedule of Investments, if applicable. As a result,
the timing of income recognition relating to these securities
may vary based upon the actual maturity. If the Fund invests directly
in foreign currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive
revenues in, foreign currencies, or in derivatives that provide
exposure to foreign currencies, it will be subject to the risk
that those currencies will decline in value relative to the base
currency of the Fund, or, in the case of hedging positions, that
the Fund’s base currency will decline in value relative
to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries
may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number
of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention
(or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments,
central banks or supranational entities, such as the International
Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other
political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result,
the Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities
may reduce the returns of the Fund. The market values of equity
securities, such as common stocks and preferred stocks, or equity
related investments, such as futures and options, may decline
due to general market conditions which are not specifically related
to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic
conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings,
changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment
generally. The market value of equity securities may also decline
due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries,
such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive
conditions within an industry. Equity securities and equity related
investments generally have greater market price volatility than
fixed income securities.
|
|
a)
|
Federal Income Taxes
–
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund intends to continue
to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code (“IRC”) by distributing substantially all of
its taxable net investment income and net realized capital gains
to its shareholders and otherwise complying with the requirements
of RICs. The Fund has distributed substantially all of its income
and capital gains in prior years, if applicable, and intends to
distribute substantially all of its income and capital gains during
the calendar year ending December 31, 2012. Accordingly, no provision
for federal income or excise taxes has been made in the accompanying
financial statements. Distributions from short-term capital gains
are treated as ordinary income distributions for federal income
tax purposes.
|
|
b)
|
Net Investment Income (Loss),
Net Realized Gains (Losses), and Distributions
–
Net investment income (loss) and net realized gains (losses)
may differ for financial statement and tax purposes primarily
because of losses deferred due to wash sale adjustments, foreign
currency gains and losses, adjustments related to PFICs, REITs,
RICs, certain derivatives and partnerships. The character of distributions
made during the year from net investment income or net realized
gains
|
The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
Notes to Financial Statements –
(continued)
October 31, 2012
(000’s Omitted)
|
|
may differ from their ultimate characterization
for federal income tax purposes. Also, due to the timing of dividend
distributions, the fiscal year in which amounts are distributed
may differ from the year that the income or realized gains (losses)
were recorded by the Fund.
|
|
c)
|
Distributions and Components
of Distributable Earnings
– The tax character of distributions
paid by the Fund for the periods indicated is as follows (as adjusted
for dividends payable, if applicable):
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
October 31, 2012
|
|
Ordinary Income
|
|
$
|
3,823
|
|
Long-Term Capital Gains ‡
|
|
|
2
|
|
–
|
‡
|
The Fund designates these distributions as long-term
capital gain dividends pursuant to IRC Sec. 852(b)(3)(C).
|
As of October 31, 2012, the
Fund’s components of distributable earnings (deficit) on a tax basis are as follows:
|
|
Amount
|
|
Undistributed Ordinary Income
|
|
$
|
13,907
|
|
Unrealized Appreciation *
|
|
|
3,645
|
|
Total Accumulated Earnings
|
|
$
|
17,552
|
|
|
*
|
Differences between
book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) may be attributable to the losses
deferred due to wash sale adjustments, foreign
currency gains and losses, adjustments related
to PFICs, REITs, RICs, certain derivatives and
partnerships.
|
|
d)
|
Reclassification of Capital
Accounts
– The Fund may record reclassifications in
its capital accounts. These reclassifications have no impact on
the total net assets of the Fund. The reclassifications are a
result of permanent differences between U.S. GAAP and tax accounting
for such items as foreign currency, PFICs, expiration or utilization
of capital loss carryforwards or net operating losses. Adjustments
are made to reflect the impact these items have on current and
future distributions to shareholders. Therefore, the source of
the Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying
Statement of Changes in Net Assets as from undistributed net investment
income, from accumulated net realized gains on investments or
from capital depending on the type of book and tax differences
that exist. For the year ended October 31, 2012, the Fund recorded
reclassifications to increase (decrease) the accounts listed below:
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Undistributed Net Investment Income
|
|
$
|
2,590
|
|
Accumulated Net Realized Gain (Loss)
|
|
|
(2,590
|
)
|
|
e)
|
Capital Loss Carryforward
– On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company
Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted,
which made changes to the capital loss carryforward rules. The
changes are effective for taxable years beginning after the date
of enactment. Under the Act, funds are permitted to carry forward
capital losses for an unlimited period. Additionally, capital
loss carryforwards retain their character as either short-term
or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term
as permitted under prior regulation. The Fund had no capital
loss carryforward for U.S. federal income tax purposes as of October
31, 2012.
|
|
f)
|
Accounting for Uncertainty
in Income Taxes
– The Fund has adopted financial reporting
rules that require the Fund to analyze all open tax years, as
defined by the statute of limitations, for all major jurisdictions.
Generally, tax authorities can examine all tax returns filed for
the last three years. The Fund does not have an examination in
progress.
|
The Fund has reviewed all open
tax years and major jurisdictions and concluded that these financial reporting rules had no effect on the Fund’s financial
position or results of operations. There is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income
tax positions taken or expected to be taken on the tax return for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012. The Fund is also not
aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly
change in the next twelve months.
|
a)
|
Investment Management Agreement
– Hartford Investment Financial Services, LLC (“HIFSCO”),
a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of The Hartford Financial Services
Group, Inc. (“The Hartford”), serves as investment
manager to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement
with the Fund. As investment manager, HIFSCO has overall investment
supervisory responsibility for the Fund. In addition, HIFSCO provides
administrative personnel, services, equipment, facilities and
office space for proper operation of the Fund. Effective June
4, 2012, HIFSCO has contracted with Wellington Management Company,
LLP ("Wellington Management") under a sub-advisory agreement
for the provision of day-to-day investment management services
to the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective
and policies. Prior to June 4, 2012, Hartford Investment Management
Company was the sub-adviser for the Fund. The Fund pays a fee
to HIFSCO, a portion of which may be used to compensate the sub-advisers.
|
The schedule below reflects
the rates of compensation paid to HIFSCO for investment management services rendered as of October 31, 2012; the rates are accrued
daily and paid monthly:
Average Daily Net Assets
|
Annual Fee
|
On first $500 million
|
0.600%
|
On next $500 million
|
0.550%
|
On next $2 billion
|
0.500%
|
On next $2 billion
|
0.490%
|
On next $5 billion
|
0.480%
|
Over $10 billion
|
0.470%
|
The schedule below reflects
the rates of compensation paid to HIFSCO for investment management services rendered during the period November 1, 2011, through
June 3, 2012.
Average Daily Net
Assets
|
Annual Fee
|
On first $500 million
|
0.600%
|
On next $500 million
|
0.550%
|
On next $4 billion
|
0.500%
|
On next $5 billion
|
0.480%
|
Over $10 billion
|
0.470%
|
|
b)
|
Accounting Services Agreement
–
Pursuant to the Fund Accounting Agreement between
Hartford Life Insurance Company (“HLIC”) and the Fund,
HLIC provides accounting services to the Fund and receives monthly
compensation based on the Fund’s average net assets at the
rates set forth below. The Fund’s accounting services fees
are accrued daily and paid monthly.
|
Average Daily Net Assets
|
Annual Fee
|
On first $5 billion
|
0.020%
|
On next $5 billion
|
0.018%
|
Over $10 billion
|
0.016%
|
The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
Notes to Financial Statements –
(continued)
October 31, 2012
(000’s Omitted)
|
c)
|
Operating Expenses
–
As of October 31, 2012, HIFSCO contractually limited the total
operating expenses of this Fund, exclusive of taxes, interest
expense, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses
and extraordinary expenses, through February 28, 2013 as follows:
|
|
d)
|
Other Related Party Transactions
– Certain officers of the Fund are directors and/or
officers of HIFSCO and/or The Hartford or its subsidiaries. For
the year ended October 31, 2012, a portion of the Fund’s
chief compliance officer’s compensation was paid by all
of the investment companies in the Hartford fund complex. The
portion allocated to the Fund rounds to zero. Hartford Administrative
Services Company (“HASCO”), an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Hartford, provides transfer agent services to
the Fund. HASCO is compensated based on average daily net assets.
The amount paid to HASCO and any related contractual reimbursement
amounts, if applicable, can be found in the Statement of Operations.
These fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.
|
As of October 31, 2012, affiliates
of The Hartford had ownership of shares in the Fund as follows:
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Percentage
of Class
|
|
Class Y
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
As of October 31, 2012, 100% of the Fund’s
shares were owned in aggregate by affiliated Fund of Funds. Therefore, the Fund may experience relatively large purchases or redemptions
from affiliated Fund of Funds.
|
9.
|
Investment
Transactions:
|
For the year ended October
31, 2012, the Fund's aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
|
|
Amount
|
|
Cost of Purchases Excluding U.S. Government Obligations
|
|
$
|
532,875
|
|
Sales Proceeds Excluding U.S. Government Obligations
|
|
|
668,676
|
|
|
10.
|
Capital
Share Transactions:
|
The following information is
for the year ended October 31, 2012, and for the period September 30, 2011, (commencement of operations) through October 31, 2011:
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2012
|
|
|
For the Period Ended October 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
Shares
Sold
|
|
|
Shares
Issued for
Reinvested
Dividends
|
|
|
Shares
Redeemed
|
|
|
Shares
Issued
from
Merger
|
|
|
Net Increase
(Decrease) of
Shares
|
|
|
Shares
Sold
|
|
|
Shares
Issued for
Reinvested
Dividends
|
|
|
Shares
Redeemed
|
|
|
Shares
Issued
from
Merger
|
|
|
Net Increase
(Decrease) of
Shares
|
|
Class Y
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
4,058
|
|
|
|
366
|
|
|
|
(3,710
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
714
|
|
|
|
23,778
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
23,778
|
|
Amount
|
|
$
|
43,244
|
|
|
$
|
3,825
|
|
|
$
|
(39,009
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
8,060
|
|
|
$
|
237,784
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
237,784
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
4,058
|
|
|
|
366
|
|
|
|
(3,710
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
714
|
|
|
|
23,778
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
23,778
|
|
Amount
|
|
$
|
43,244
|
|
|
$
|
3,825
|
|
|
$
|
(39,009
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
8,060
|
|
|
$
|
237,784
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
237,784
|
|
|
11.
|
I
ndustry
Classifications:
|
Other than the industry classifications
“Other Investment Pools and Funds” and “Exchange Traded Funds,” equity industry classifications used in
this report are the Global Industry Classification Standard, which was developed by and is the exclusive property and service
mark of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s.
|
12.
|
Pending
Legal Proceedings:
|
On February 25, 2011, Jennifer
L. Kasilag, Louis Mellinger, Judith M. Menendez, Jacqueline M. Robinson, and Linda A. Russell filed a derivative lawsuit against
HIFSCO on behalf of six funds: The Hartford Global Health Fund (now known as The Hartford Healthcare Fund), The Hartford
Conservative Allocation Fund, The Hartford Growth Opportunities Fund, The Hartford Inflation Plus Fund, The Hartford Advisers
Fund (now known as The Hartford Balanced Fund) and The Hartford Money Market Fund. The lawsuit, which was filed in the United
States District Court for the District of New Jersey, seeks recovery under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act for the alleged overpayment
of investment management and 12b-1 distribution fees to HIFSCO. The plaintiffs seek recovery of the alleged overpayments or, alternatively,
rescission of the contracts and restitution of all fees paid, together with lost earnings. On November 14, 2011, the plaintiffs
filed an amended complaint, which dropped The Hartford Money Market Fund and added The Hartford Capital Appreciation Fund as a
plaintiff. The Hartford intends to vigorously defend the action.
Although this action was purportedly
filed on behalf of certain of the Hartford Mutual Funds, none of the Hartford Mutual Funds is itself a party to the suit. For
this reason, no accrual for litigation relating to this matter has been recorded in the financial statements of the Fund because
the Fund is not party to the suit.
Under the Fund’s organizational
documents, the Fund shall indemnify its officers and trustees to the fullest extent permitted by law. In addition, the Fund may
enter into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is
unknown. However, as of the date of these financial statements, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these
contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
|
14.
|
Recent
Accounting Pronouncement:
|
Disclosures about Offsetting
Assets and Liabilities
-
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2011-11, Disclosures about
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The objective of the FASB is to enhance current disclosure requirements on offsetting
of certain assets and liabilities and to enable financial statement users to compare financial statements prepared under U.S.
GAAP
and International Financial Reporting Standards.
Specifically, ASU No. 2011-11
requires an entity to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are subject
to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The standard requires disclosure of collateral received in connection with
the master
netting agreements or similar agreements. The effective date of ASU No. 2011-11 is
for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. At this time, management is evaluating the implications
of this guidance
and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts and footnote
disclosures, if any.
At its meeting held on November
8, 2012, the Board of Trustees of the Fund, including each of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the
Fund, unanimously voted to terminate the existing investment management and investment sub-advisory agreements for the Fund (the
“Existing Agreements”) and approve a new investment management agreement for the Fund with Hartford Funds Management
Company, LLC (“HFMC”), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of The Hartford, and a new investment sub-advisory agreement
between HFMC and the Fund’s existing sub-adviser, Wellington Management (the “New Agreements”). The termination
of the Existing Agreements and implementation of the New Agreements are expected to occur on or about December 31, 2012 and will
result in no changes to (i) the contractual terms of, including the fees payable under, the Fund’s investment management
and investment sub-advisory agreements; and (ii) the day-to-day management of the Fund.
The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
Financial Highlights
-
Selected Per-Share Data (A) -
Class
|
|
|
Net Asset Value at
Beginning of
Period
|
|
|
Net Investment
Income (Loss)
|
|
|
Net Realized and
Unrealized Gain
(Loss) on
Investments
|
|
|
Total from
Investment
Operations
|
|
|
Dividends from Net
Investment Income
|
|
|
Distributions from
Realized Capital
Gains
|
|
|
Distributions from
Capital
|
|
|
Total Distributions
|
|
|
Net Asset Value at
End of Period
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2012
|
|
Y
|
|
|
$
|
10.96
|
|
|
$
|
0.16
|
|
|
$
|
(0.21
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
$
|
–
|
|
|
$
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
$
|
10.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From September 30, 2011 (commencement of operations),
through October 31, 2011
|
|
Y(C)
|
|
|
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
0.94
|
|
|
|
0.96
|
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
|
10.96
|
|
|
(A)
|
Information presented
relates to a share outstanding throughout the
indicated period.
|
|
(B)
|
Assumes initial
investment at net asset value at the beginning
of each period, reinvestment of all distributions,
the complete redemption of the investment at net
asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charge. Total return would be reduced
if sales charges were taken into account.
|
|
(C)
|
Commenced operations
on September 30, 2011.
|
-
Ratios and Supplemental Data -
Total Return(B)
|
|
|
Net Assets at End of Period
(000's)
|
|
|
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets
Before Waivers and Reimbursements and
Including Expenses not Subject to Cap
|
|
|
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets
After Waivers and Reimbursements and
Including Expenses not Subject to Cap
|
|
|
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
Portfolio
Turnover Rate
|
|
|
|
|
(0.41
|
)%
|
|
$
|
263,358
|
|
|
|
0.66
|
%
|
|
|
0.65
|
%
|
|
|
1.43
|
%
|
|
|
178
|
%
|
|
|
|
9.60
|
(D)
|
|
|
260,580
|
|
|
|
0.65
|
(E)
|
|
|
0.65
|
(E)
|
|
|
2.11
|
(E)
|
|
|
5
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities,
including the schedule of investments, of The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund (the Fund) as of October 31, 2012, and the
related statement of operations for the year then ended and the statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights for
each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were
not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration
of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances,
but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities
owned as of October 31, 2012, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where
replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial
statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
at October 31, 2012, the results of its operations for
the year then ended and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein,
in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Minneapolis, MN
December 17, 2012
The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
Trustees
and Officers (Unaudited)
The Board of Trustees of the Fund appoints
officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund and who execute policies formulated by the Trustees. Each
trustee serves until his or her death, resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity, or until the next annual meeting of shareholders
is held or until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.
Trustees and officers who are employed
by or who have a financial interest in The Hartford are considered “interested” persons of the Fund pursuant to the
1940 Act. Each officer and two of the Fund’s trustees, as noted in the chart below, are “interested” persons
of the Fund. Each trustee serves as a director for The Hartford Mutual Funds, Inc., The Hartford Mutual Funds II, Inc., Hartford
Series Fund, Inc., and Hartford HLS Series Fund II, Inc., and as a trustee for The Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund, which,
as of October 31, 2012, collectively consist of 89 funds. Correspondence may be sent to directors/trustees and officers c/o Hartford
Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 2999, Hartford, Connecticut 06104-2999, except that correspondence to Mr. Annoni, Mr. Dressen, and Ms.
Fagely may be sent to 500 Bielenberg Drive, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125.
The table below sets forth, for each trustee
and officer, his or her name, year of birth, current position with the Fund and date first elected or appointed to the Fund, principal
occupation, and, for trustees, other directorships held. The Fund’s statement of additional information contains further
information on the trustees and is available free of charge by calling 1-888-843-7824 or writing to Hartford Mutual Funds, P.O.
Box 64387, St. Paul, MN 55164-0387.
Information on the aggregate remuneration
paid to the Trustees of the Fund can be found in the Statement of Operations herein. The Fund pays to The Hartford a portion of
the Chief Compliance Officer’s compensation, but does not pay salaries or compensation to any of its other officers or trustees
who are employed by The Hartford.
Non-Interested Trustees
Lynn S. Birdsong
(1946) Trustee since 2011
Mr. Birdsong is a private investor.
Mr. Birdsong currently serves as a Director of the Sovereign High Yield Investment Company (April 2010 to current). Mr. Birdsong
currently serves as an Independent Director of Nomura Partners Funds, Inc. (formerly, The Japan Fund) (March 2003 to current).
From 1979 to 2002, Mr. Birdsong was a managing director of Zurich Scudder Investments, an investment management firm. During his
employment with Scudder, Mr. Birdsong was an Interested Director of The Japan Fund. Since 1981, Mr. Birdsong has been a partner
in Birdsong Company, an advertising specialty firm.
Robert M. Gavin, Jr.
(1940) Trustee
since 2011, Chairman of the Fund since 2011
Dr. Gavin is an educational
consultant. Prior to September 1, 2001, he was President of Cranbrook Education Community and prior to July 1996, he was President
of Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Duane E. Hill
(1945) Trustee since
2011
Mr. Hill is Partner of TSG
Ventures L.P., a private equity investment company. Mr. Hill is a former partner of TSG Capital Group, a private equity investment
firm that served as sponsor and lead investor in leveraged buyouts of middle market companies.
Sandra S. Jaffee
(1941) Trustee
since 2011
Ms. Jaffee is the founder and
Chief Executive Officer of a private company, Homeworks Concierge, LLC, which provides residential property management services
in Westchester County, New York (January 2012 to present). Ms. Jaffee served as Chairman (2008 to 2009) and Chief Executive Officer
of Fortent (formerly Searchspace Group), a leading provider of compliance/regulatory technology to financial institutions from
August 2005 to August 2009. Ms. Jaffe currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Broadridge Financial Solutions
as well as a Trustee of Muhlenberg College.
William P. Johnston
(1944) Trustee
since 2011
In
June 2006, Mr. Johnston was appointed as Senior Advisor to The Carlyle Group, a global private equity investment firm. In August
2007, Mr. Johnston was elected to the Board of Directors of LifeCare Holdings, Inc. In February 2008, Mr. Johnston was elected
to the Board of Directors of HCR-ManorCare, Inc. In May 2006, Mr. Johnston was elected to the Supervisory Board of Fresenius Medical
Care AG & Co. KGaA, after its acquisition of Renal Care Group, Inc. in March 2006.
Phillip O. Peterson
(1944) Trustee
since 2011
Mr. Peterson is a mutual fund
industry consultant. He was a partner of KPMG LLP (an accounting firm) until July 1999. Mr. Peterson joined William Blair Funds
in February 2007 as a member of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Peterson also joined the Board of Trustees of Symetra Variable Mutual
Funds Trust as a trustee in February 2012.
The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
Trustees and Officers
(Unaudited) – (continued)
Lemma W. Senbet
(1946) Trustee
since 2011
Dr. Senbet is the William E.
Mayer Chair Professor of Finance and Director, Center for Financial Policy, at the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School
of Business. He was chair of the Finance Department from 1998 to 2006. Previously he was a chaired professor of finance at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison. Also, he was director of the Fortis Funds from March 2000 to July 2002. Dr. Senbet served the
finance profession in various capacities, including as director of the American Finance Association and President of the Western
Finance Association. In 2006, Dr. Senbet was inducted Fellow of Financial Management Association International for his career-long
distinguished scholarship and professional service.
Interested Trustees and Officers
James E. Davey
(1964) Trustee since
2012, President and Chief Excutive Officer since 2011
Mr. Davey serves as Executive
Vice President of HLIC and The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Additionally, Mr. Davey serves as President, Chairman of
the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of HIFSCO and President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of HL Investment Advisors,
LLC (“HL Advisors”). Mr. Davey joined The Hartford in 2002.
Lowndes A. Smith
(1939) Trustee
since 2011
Mr. Smith served as Vice Chairman
of The Hartford from February 1997 to January 2002, as President and Chief Executive Officer of HL Inc. from February 1997 to
January 2002, and as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Hartford Life Insurance Companies from January 1989 to January
2002. Mr. Smith serves as a Director of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., One Beacon Insurance and Symetra Financial and
as Managing Director of Whittington Gray Associates.
Other Officers
Mark A. Annoni
(1964) Vice President,
Controller and Treasurer since 2012
(1)
Mr. Annoni serves as the Assistant
Vice President and Director of HLIC (February 2004 to present). Mr. Annoni joined The Hartford in April 2001 as part of The Hartford’s
acquisition of Fortis Financial Group (“Fortis”). Prior to joining The Hartford, Mr. Annoni served as Manager of Mutual
Fund Accounting at Fortis (July 1997 to April 2001).
(1)
Mr. Annoni was
named Vice President, Controller and Treasurer on May 8, 2012.
Michael R. Dressen
(1963) AML Compliance
Officer since 2011
Mr. Dressen currently serves
as Assistant Vice President of HLIC. He also serves as Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer of Hartford Administrative
Services Company (“HASCO”) and as Assistant Secretary and Compliance Officer of HIFSCO. Mr. Dressen joined The Hartford
in 2005 from State Farm Insurance Companies where he held various positions related to mutual funds, variable products, and property
casualty insurance.
Tamara L. Fagely
(1958) Vice President
since 2011
(2)
Ms. Fagely has been a Vice
President of HASCO since 1998 and Chief Financial Officer since 2006. Currently Ms. Fagely is a Vice President of HLIC. She served
as Assistant Vice President of HLIC from December 2001 through March 2005. In addition, Ms. Fagely is Controller and Chief Financial
Officer of HIFSCO.
(2)
Ms. Fagely served
as Vice President, Controller and Treasurer until May 8, 2012.
Edward P. Macdonald
(1967) Vice
President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2011
Mr. Macdonald serves as Vice
President of HLIC and Chief Legal Officer of Mutual Funds and Vice President of HIFSCO. He also serves as Vice President and Secretary
of HASCO, and Chief Legal Officer, Secretary and Vice President of HL Advisors. Mr. Macdonald joined The Hartford in 2005.
Vernon J.
Meyer
(1964)
Vice President since 2011
Mr. Meyer serves as Senior
Vice President of HLIC. He also serves as Senior Vice President of HIFSCO and HL Advisors. Mr. Meyer joined The Hartford in 2004.
Colleen
B. Pernerewski
(1969)
Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer since 2011
Ms. Pernerewski serves as Vice
President and Chief Investment Advisor Compliance Officer of HIFSCO and as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer
of HL Advisors. Ms. Pernerewski serves as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Individual Annuity of HLIC. Ms.
Pernerewski joined The Hartford in 2005 from Travelers Life and Annuity where she served as Counsel (2004-2005). Prior to Travelers
Life and Annuity, Ms. Pernerewski held the position of Counsel at The Hartford (1998-2004).
Elizabeth L. Schroeder
(1966) Vice President since 2011
Ms. Schroeder currently serves
as Assistant Vice President of HLIC. Ms. Schroeder joined HLIC in 1991. She is also an Assistant Vice President of HASCO, HIFSCO
and HL Advisors.
Martin Swanson
(1962) Vice President since 2011
Mr. Swanson is a Vice President
of HLIC. Mr. Swanson also serves as Vice President/Marketing for HIFSCO. Prior to joining HLIC in 1998, Mr. Swanson was a Vice
President at PaineWebber, Inc.
Jane Wolak
(1961)
Vice President since 2011
(3)
Ms. Wolak currently serves
as Senior Vice President of HLIC. Ms. Wolak joined HLIC as Vice President, Retail Product Services in May 2007. She is also Vice
President of HASCO. Previously, Ms. Wolak was with Sun Life Financial where she held the position of Vice President, Service Center
Operations from 2001-2007.
(3)
Ms. Wolak served as a Vice President of the Fund until November 8, 2012. Effective November 8, 2012, Laura S. Quade was
named a Vice President of the Fund.
HOW TO OBTAIN
A COPY OF THE FUND’S PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND VOTING RECORDS (UNAUDITED)
A description of the policies and procedures
that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and a record of how the Fund voted any proxies
for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2012 are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 888-843-7824 and (2)
on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)
The Fund files a complete schedule of
portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms are available
(1) without charge, upon request, by calling 888-843-7824 and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Form N-Q
may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public
Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
Federal Tax Information
(Unaudited)
For the fiscal year ended October 31,
2012, there is no further federal tax information required for this Fund.
The
Hartford Alternative Strategies Fund
Expense Example (Unaudited)
Your Fund's Expenses
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur
two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales
charges (CDSC) and (2) ongoing costs, including investment management fees, distribution fees, and other fund expenses. This example
is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the
ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of
the period and held for the period of April 30, 2012 through October 31, 2012.
Actual Expenses
The first set of columns of the table
below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this column, together
with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000
(for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the line under the heading
entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second set of columns of the table
below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio
and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account
values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may
use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical
example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in
the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads)
and CDSC. Therefore, the second set of columns of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine
the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would
be higher. Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratios multiplied by average account value over the period, multiplied
by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period).
|
|
Actual
return
|
|
|
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning
Account Value
April 30, 2012
|
|
|
Ending
Account
Value
October 31, 2012
|
|
|
Expenses
paid
during the period
April 30, 2012
through
October 31, 2012
|
|
|
Beginning
Account Value
April 30, 2012
|
|
|
Ending
Account
Value
October 31, 2012
|
|
|
Expenses
paid
during the
period
April 30, 2012
through
October 31, 2012
|
|
|
Annualized
expense
ratio
|
|
Days
in
the
current
1/2 year
|
|
|
Days
in the
full
year
|
|
Class
Y
|
|
$
|
1,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
951.33
|
|
|
$
|
3.19
|
|
|
$
|
1,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
1,021.87
|
|
|
$
|
3.30
|
|
|
0 .65%
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
|
366
|
|